Lobby Group Defends Legitimacy of Uhuru’s Presidency in Repeat Election

A lobby group dubbed Council of Professionals in Kenya (CPK) has defended the legitimacy of Uhuru’s victory in the recently held repeat presidential election.

In a statement on Sunday, the group rubbished claims by the Opposition that Uhuru would be illegitimately elected if he is announced as the winner of October 26th election.

Speaking during media briefing on Sunday, CPK chairperson Ababu Namwamba has accused National Super Alliance of coining a low voter turn out narrative to illegitimize Uhuru’s Presidency following the repeat poll.

“We note that voter turnout across the world is on the decline except in countries where compulsory. Voter turnout is lowest in the re-elections of a strong and impactful president because the voter is comfortable.” said Namwamba.

He added: “Even in by-elections across the globe there is always a decline in the number of voters who go out to exercise their democratic right but for our case the number projected by the electoral body is very significant.”

The former Budalangi MP said that despite opposition advising its supporters to skip the poll, Kenyans overwhelmingly woke up to vote for President Uhuru.

“Over 95percent of Kenyans that voted for Uhuru Kenyatta on August 8 also turned out to vote for him on October 26 and that tells you that the President maintained his support base across the country.”

“Over 40percent of Kenyan registered voters braved the rains and a tense environment to cast their vote,” said Namwamba.

He said a section of voters in opposition strongholds were intimidated not to participate in the exercise.

“This was a criminal strategy to defeat democracy and the right to vote in Odinga’s home turf. The atrocious assault on the right to vote sought to reduce voter turnout and push the country into a constitutional crisis and chaos,” he said.

Former Garsen MP Danson Mungatana, also a member of the council said Kenya should consider making voting mandatory.

“We believe making voting compulsory will defeat political manipulations, violence and intimidation and protect the right to vote.

“Mandatory voting will enhance our democracy and make it cheaper and affordable. We will work with the relevant institutions and lobbies to achieve this,” said Mungatana.